Social Studies Department

Objectives
The Social Studies program has as its prime objective the development of informed, responsible and active citizens. Citizens such as these must understand the interconnected world in which they live and be able to apply knowledge and skills learned in the program to new and divergent problems and possibilities.

In order to accomplish this task, a four-year sequence is required of all students.

Content and Skills
These courses reflect state and district learning standards, the content of the state scope and sequence, and additional curriculum and assessment material developed at the local level.

They have been designed to provide students with an understanding of the history and culture of the United States and the world around them, employing knowledge from the social sciences and the humanities. Emphasis is placed on developing a variety of research, communication and collaborative skills.

Grouping
All classes are heterogeneously grouped with the exception of Honors (H) and Advanced Placement (AP) sections.

Courses
1116 SOCIAL STUDIES 9: GLOBAL HISTORY 1
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9
Global History 1 begins a two-year study of the major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history. Students employ the methods of the social sciences to examine the broad sweep of history from multiple perspectives. Historical eras from the Ancient World (from 4000 B.C.) to the First Global Age (to 1770) are studied.

1120 SOCIAL STUDIES 9: EXPLORING THE WORLD
1 year, 1 credit English and 1 credit social studies, Grade 9, meets daily
This is an interdisciplinary, Regents level course.
This is an interactive course that takes a comprehensive look at world culture from the ancient world to the first global age. It combines and builds on the content of the English 9: The Individual in Society course and the Social Studies 9: Global History course. Students will study historical periods through the characters in fictional accounts as well as through the portrayals in non-fiction documents. Students, in small and large group activities, will step into the lives of ancient peoples and experiences their culture while enjoying the literary practices of close reading, writing process, research skills and public speaking. Skills needed for success on the English and social studies Regents exams will be reinforced.

1122 SOCIAL STUDIES 9: GLOBAL HISTORY 1 HONORS
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9
The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study and go into topics in greater depth. Strong writing skills are essential.

1217 SOCIAL STUDIES 10: GLOBAL HISTORY 2
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 10
This course completes a two-year study of the major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history. Students employ the methods of the social sciences to examine the broad sweep of history from multiple perspectives. Historical eras from the Age of Revolutions (1750-1914) to the 20th century since 1945 are studied.

1220 SOCIAL STUDIES 10: GLOBAL HISTORY 2 HONORS
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 10
The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study and go into topics in greater depth. Strong writing skills are essential.

1225 SOCIAL STUDIES 10 HONORS: WORLD CONNECTIONS
1 year, 1 credit English and 1 credit social studies, Grade 10, meets daily
This is an interdisciplinary Honors level course.
Through a thematic survey of world history from the 1700s to the present, student will explore various literary genres and gain a rich understanding of the historical connections. While studying the literary techniques of novels, poetry and short stories, students will gain a diverse perspective of each time period. The course includes extensive reading, research projects, small and large group activities, as well as independent work. As in other honors courses, students will work toward critical analysis and complexity in language construction.

1230 AP WORLD HISTORY
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
This course will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. Course content focuses primarily on the past thousand years of the global experience from about 1000 C.E. to the present, highlighting changes in international frameworks and comparisons especially among major non-European societies. This Advanced Placement course prepares students for the optional AP World History examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program.

1315 SOCIAL STUDIES 11: AMERICAN HISTORY
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 11
This course is a chronological survey of American history from the late 18th century to the present, as well as an examination of the origin, structure and principles of the government of the United States.

1323 SOCIAL STUDIES 11: AMERICAN STUDIES - We the People
1 year, 1 credit English and 1 credit social studies, Grade 11, meets daily
This is an interdisciplinary course.
The content of this course is similar to American History, but includes a comprehensive look at American culture through an examination of the links between American literature and history. Students choosing this course must take both the English and the social studies segments; they will earn one credit toward requirements in both subjects.

1320 SOCIAL STUDIES 11: AMERICAN HISTORY H
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 11
The content of this course is similar to that of the regular program, but students will be expected to read more extensively, do more individual study, and go into topics in greater depth.

1325 AP AMERICAN HISTORY
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
This course will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. Students will be required to learn how to read historical material analytically and critically, to weigh historical evidence, and evaluate various interpretations of history. This Advanced Placement course places heavy emphasis on reading and the writing of short research papers and prepares students for the optional AP American History examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program.

THE ECONOMICS REQUIREMENT
1420 ECONOMICS
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
The Board of Regents has mandated a one-semester Economics requirement for graduation from secondary schools in the State of New York. This course examines the following topics: supply and demand, monopolies and oligopolies, and intricacies of the market system, as well as topics relating to consumer economics.

Each of the following courses also meets the Economics requirement for graduation from secondary schools in the State of New York. Students considering advanced study in this field may wish to take both courses. Together they provide the equivalent of a college introductory course in the subject.

1426 AP MICRO ECONOMICS
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
This course develops the fundamental concepts underlying business, consumer and worker decision-making. It will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. The course prepares students to take the optional AP Micro Economics examination. Students will be expected to complete a summer reading program prior to attending this course.

1427 AP MACRO ECONOMICS
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
This course develops the fundamental concepts underlying the functioning of the entire economic system including international trade. It will make demands on students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. The course prepares students to take the optional AP Macro Economics examination. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program.

THE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT
1430 LAW AND GOVERNMENT
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
The Board of Regents has mandated Participation in Government as a requirement for high school graduation in New York state. This course meets this requirement and focuses on how law affects our daily lives and communities. Students will play an active role in investigating the law as it relates to the consumer, family, criminal justice system and civil liberties.

Each of the following courses also meets the Participation in Government requirement for graduation in New York State.

1432 AMERICAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
(University in High School Program)
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
This college course is offered through the University in High School Program at SUNY Albany. The course focuses on examining critical national, state and local issues through classroom discussions and independent research. Students have the option of cross-registration with SUNY Albany and receiving three college credits that can be applied at any college or university within the state university system. The cost of enrolling is $100, or $50 for students who are financially eligible.
A fee of $40 will be collected from each student to offset the cost of a subscription to the New York Times.

1435 AP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grade 12
This course will make demands on students equivalent to those of an introductory college course. It deals with the structure and functioning of each branch of the federal government, constitutional and political theory, political behavior including individuals, interest groups and political parties, and the federal bureaucracy. This course concentrates on the national government; state and local government will not be included. The course prepares students to take the optional AP American Government exam.

The following course meets both the Participation in Government and Economics requirement for graduation in New York State.

1440 AP MACRO ECONOMICS AND AP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
Note: This is a full-year course.
This is an integrated course that meets every other day for a year. Such integration allows for a more enriched study of both government and economics. This course will prepare students to take both the AP Macroeconomics and AP American Government examinations. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to complete a summer reading program.

ELECTIVE COURSES FOR ALL STUDENTS
The following courses are intended to supplement the social studies program and may be elected in addition to grade-level courses but may not be elected in lieu of such courses. These courses do not satisfy state and local social studies requirements.

1740 ARCHEOLOGY
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12
Archeology is an introductory course in archeological theory, methods, field work and artifact analysis. The course will focus on research design, survey and excavation methods, and artifact identification and interpretation. Students will draw upon the resources of the Capital District to examine historical and prehistoric cultures of the Northeast.

1712 THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 10-12
This is a survey course exploring African-American contributions to the culture, politics and history of the United States. The course will begin with a look at the history and culture of African civilization prior to slavery. Students will then explore slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, segregation and disenfranchisement, civil rights and current issues. Much of the course material will be taught through literature, artifacts, music and plays.

1715 GREAT ISSUES IN AMERICAN HISTORY: VIETNAM AND ITS AFTERMATH
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12
This course will explore the Vietnam conflict in depth and examine its long-term impact on American politics, foreign policy and culture. Activities used in the course include guest speakers (veterans, anti-war activists, etc.), panel discussions, simulations, and varied selections, both fictional and documentary, from the video record of American’s first television war.

1720 SOCIOLOGY
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12
Sociology is the scientific study of the origins and effects of human group behavior. Students in each class select social issues they wish to study such as crime, race and ethnicity, religion, social class and gender. They engage in discussions, readings, group activities and individual research, as well as a long-term research project focusing on a social issue at Niskayuna High School. The course is open to students of all interests and ability levels.

1730 PSYCHOLOGY
1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 11-12
This is a course in the fundamentals of the study of behavior. Topics include: inner-workings of the brain, sleep and dream analysis, conditioning methodology, personality development, abnormal behavior, and stress and coping. Group work is utilized, as are guest lecturers and experiments.

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